U.S.-China military cooperation key to peace, Air Force general says

  • Published
  • By Maj. Sam Highley
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNS) --  Progress in military-to-military cooperation between the United States and China will help both nations deal with common challenges to peace and prosperity, according to a senior U.S. Air Force commander speaking in Beijing Nov. 6.

Lt. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the 13th Air Force commander here, addressed senior air force officers from more than 30 nations at the People's Liberation Army Air Force's International Forum on Peace and Development.

The forum was one of several events held by China's air force to commemorate the service's 60th anniversary. Its theme was "Harmonious Skies."

"As airmen, we all share a very unique bond," General Carlisle told the attendees. "Air and space power plays a significant role in enhancing security and stability [and] we must all be responsible stakeholders in ensuring our unique operating environment remains a peaceful place."

The general, who commands the organization that plans, commands and controls U.S. air and space operations in the Asia-Pacific theater, said both China and the United States face an uncertain environment.

"The United States recognizes the challenges China faces, as we face many of the same emerging challenges that threaten to undermine stability," General Carlisle said.

Violent extremism, natural disasters and constrained resources are a few of the roadblocks to stability both nations must confront, he said, adding that each nation's air force can respond to such challenges more effectively by working together.

"As we work towards building and developing our air and space forces, cooperative military-to-military relationships will be critical for progress," the general said.

A string of recent visits by Chinese military officers to the United States, including the high-profile October visit by Gen. Xu Caihou, China's second-highest ranking officer, are promising signs of increasing cooperation, General Carlisle said.

Additionally, upcoming visits to China by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates will only further this burgeoning relationship, he added.

"We will move forward by establishing a continuous strategic dialogue--one that is based on open and substantive discussions that will bolster our understanding of one another and reduce the risk of miscalculated activities," General Carlisle said.

Such cooperation is vital to a peaceful and secure environment, not only for the United States and China, but for all nations of the world, the general said.

"Rather than establishing a 'peacetime environment,' we need to strive for an 'age of peace,'" General Carlisle said. "Instead of looking toward intervals between conflicts, we should look towards a point where war is not a viable option."